The Gong - Gateway to the South Coast

I have to share this.

Mother Nature must have finally received the memo - that it was Summer in Sydney. You see, the sun hasn't shown her lovely bright face all that much since Spring gave way to Summer. In fact, I got the feeling that Winter just did not want to give in just yet.

The last couple of days has been absolutely glorious. When I got into the car today, I was still deciding which beach to visit. I was two minds whether I should head north to Coogee Beach (city) or south to Wollongong.  In the end, however, I headed down south.

Sydney has so many beaches - with their own personality, mainly made up of the people who frequent them - that it's hard to decide. Growing up in Sydney, my family loved fishing and beaches. With a convoy of cars, we almost always had a beach to visit every weekend.

Wollongong, or the Gong as the locals affectionately call it, is located one hour drive from Sydney. Head down south on the Princes Highway, past the National Park that blanket either side of the Princes Highway, down the winding road of Bulli Pass, or if you prefer to head down Mount Ousley and head down towards Wollongong.

Today was Bulli.

Bulli Beach is just before Wollongong. The first sight of Bulli is always exciting. With the blue skies over blue water, you can't help but feel excited about getting to the beach. As the car winds down Bulli Pass, each glimpse of the water between the trees is a promise of something exciting - a much needed refuge from the heat.

Here are some photos of the beach....

First glimpse of the beach from the park

Surfing with a difference...

The rock pool

Yesterday - Wollongong

I headed towards the two lighthouses, past Stuart Park. Stuart Park is where the skydivers land on the beach. One of these days...
 

The rock pool at the bottom of the light house

The boats docked at the marina

 
Wollongong is also a university town with it's very own University of Wollongong.

For more information, please make sure you visit the Wollongong Tourism Web Site for more information.